Episodes

  • Money Elementary - They’re Taking Care of Us: The Hidden Cost of Deportation
    Aug 5 2025

    This week on Money Elementary ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the real cost of deportation—not just in dollars, but in everyday life. From who picks your produce to who cares for your loved ones, undocumented immigrants aren’t draining the system—they’re sustaining it. We dive into how their labor, taxes, and cultural contributions hold up our economy—and what happens when they’re forced out. This episode flips the script and delivers the receipts.

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    11 mins
  • Money Elementary - Debt, Delinquencies & Drama: The Return of The Student Loans
    Jul 29 2025

    The student loan pause is officially over—and the drama is real. In this episode of Money Elementary’s ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down what the return of federal student loan payments means for your wallet, your future, and the economy. From rising delinquency rates to the ripple effects on healthcare, housing, and education—we spill the financial chisme. Plus, we share what you can do if you’re struggling to pay, including how forbearance works and how to avoid default. Don’t panic—plan.

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    9 mins
  • Money Elementary - Frozen Rates, Hot Drama: The Fed’s June 2025 Plot Twist
    Jul 22 2025

    In this episode of Money Elementary’s ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the Federal Reserve’s June 2025 interest rate decision. Why did the Fed hold rates steady again? What does Trump have to do with it? And how do inflation, unemployment, and CEO layoffs create the perfect economic storm? We’re spilling all the financial tea—with a dash of drama and just enough data to keep you ahead of the curve.

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    14 mins
  • Money Elementary - The One Big Beautiful Bill Update: What’s Sparkling… and What’s Sinking
    Jul 8 2025

    This week on ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA pull back the glittery curtain on the One Big Beautiful Bill. We expose who really benefits from the SALT deduction change, break down the hidden cost of that $2.4 trillion deficit, and uncover tax breaks for the wealthy, cuts to public programs, and a student loan overhaul that could change everything. It’s the kind of bill that looks shiny on the surface—but might be hiding a whole lot of fine print. Tune in before your taxes and tuition are the next surprise.

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    15 mins
  • Money Elementary - When the Penny Drops: The True Cost of Letting Go
    Jul 1 2025

    In this week’s Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA dive into the surprising exit of the U.S. penny. From production costs to digital payment shifts, this episode uncovers why the penny’s time is up—and what that means for your change jar, your purchases, and the broader economy. Whether you’re cash loyal or fully tapped into digital wallets, this is one change you can’t ignore. Tune in and find out why something so small could have a big impact.

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    9 mins
  • Money Elementary - The Heart of the Economy: How Money Moves from the Fed to Your Wallet
    Jun 24 2025

    In this week’s Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down how money flows through our economy—starting with the Federal Reserve, through the banks, and finally to us. We simplify the mystery behind how money is added or taken out of circulation, what signals the Fed looks for, and how it all affects inflation, interest rates, and your wallet. Think of the Fed as the heart, banks as arteries, and spending as the lifeblood of the economy. It’s drama, dollars, and just the right dose of financial tea.

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    6 mins
  • Money Elementary - Fed Interest Rates May 7, 2025
    Jun 17 2025

    In this week’s episode of Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the Fed’s May 2025 decision to hold interest rates steady at 4.25–4.5%. They unpack why the Fed is keeping things calm — not to shock the system — and how this strategy aims to stabilize the economy without triggering another inflation spike. The trio also explains why high prices are likely here to stay, how the Fed is trying not to “rock the boat,” and what this all means for your wallet. With humor, drama, and a little side-eye at Jerome Powell, the crew helps listeners make sense of steady rates in an uncertain world.

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    11 mins
  • Money Elementary - Recession, Inflation, Stagnation
    Jun 17 2025

    In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the tangled mess of inflation, recession, and stagnation using real-life examples and a sizzling restaurant analogy. MEIA explains how what feels like “just higher prices” is actually a warning sign of deeper economic shifts. They uncover how tariffs sneak up on your wallet, why fewer jobs and flat wages aren’t just bad luck, and what smart moves to make right now. From rising costs to frozen growth, the trio keeps it real, relevant, and totally unfiltered. This isn’t just econ talk—it’s your survival guide for what’s happening in your bank account today.

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    9 mins